Hamilton County Recorders Office

Dave Pittinger, Wayne Coates, and Jim Dempsey

Last Wednesday, ten lucky HCGS members got to spend the morning at the Hamilton County Recorders Office. Wayne Coates, Hamilton County Recorder, Dave Pittinger, Chief of Staff and Jim Dempsey provided an overview of the workings of the Hamilton County Recorders Office. This was followed up with a tour of the office and the many materials they hold.

Board Member-at-Large, Jim Dempsey, discussed the process he has used to digitize and preserve materials for the benefit of all of us. He, and two volunteers from the Latter Day Saints, are responsible for digitizing over two million records at a rate of more than 70,000 records a week. Hamilton County served as a template for record preservation, and their efforts are being duplicated in other Ohio counties.

In order to view some of the records that have been uploaded to familysearch.org, follow this link.
After signing in, search on records: United States, Ohio, Hamilton.

You can then browse through the images in the collection, including land and property, naturalization, vital records, military, and probate records. These collections are frequently updated, so you may want to look for additional records added to the collection.

If you were unable to attend either of these sessions and would like to be put on a waiting list, please send an email to Kathy Reed at programs@hcgsohio.org. Put "Recorders Office" in the subject line and asked to be notified should another opportunity occur.

Submitted by: Kathy Reed

Visits to the Recorders Office in 2015

Hamilton County Recorders Office

Have you always wondered about the records held by the Hamilton County Recorders Office? Maybe you know how the records could be beneficial to your genealogical search, but you've been a little reluctant to show up in an unfamiliar office populated by a lot of people who seem to already know what they are doing.

Have we got a deal for you! Many of you have participated in Liz Stratton's series on Finding Genealogical Gold in Land Records. We thought now would be the time to take that newly-found knowledge and apply it during a visit to the Hamilton County Recorders Office.

Kenny Burck and David Pittinger

Luckily for us, Recorder Wayne Coates and Chief of Staff Dave Pittinger thought it would be a great idea, too. They offered to schedule two dates for small groups of 10 to visit and learn first-hand about the wonderful resources available to us in their office. From 10:00 until noon on Wednesdays January 14th and 21st. Ten lucky members will meet in their Conference Room and get an overview of the office and the opportunity to search for their own records with Dave's help. (The programs on the 21st will be a repeat of the one on the 14th).

We gave priority registration to those who have been participating in the classes on Land Records and then opened it up to all members in the December Tracer. We currently have two spaces available on the 14th and three on the 21st. If you want to have your name added to the list, please email Kathy Reed, Program Director, at programs@hcgsohio.org. Should these classes fill up quickly, Dave has expressed a willingness to schedule additional dates. If these dates don't work for you, ask to be put on a "Waiting List."

The Recorders Office is located in the Hamilton County Administration Building a 138 Court Street. For a map and complete directions, click here. We hope to see you there.

 Submitted by Kathy Reed.

Heritage Luncheon and 40th Anniversary Celebration 2013 Part I

2013 Lineage Society Recipients
Photo Credits: John Tholking

Saturday, November 9th, HCGS held its annual Heritage Luncheon to honor recipients of the First Families, Settlers and Builders and Century Families awards. This year's event, held at the Clovernook Country Club, also celebrated the 40th Anniversary of HCGS. First Families welcomed Brandy Jo Potts Wheeler, Linda Kay Wheeler, Kathryn Elaine Kipp, Jerald Eugene Robinson, Carol Ann Franz, Betty Ann Wolfe, and Sarah (Keen) Raup Johnson to its ranks. Settlers and Builders recognized Peter Timothy Frame, William Edward Reed, John Patrick Wilshire, and Ellen Ruth Schiereck as new members. Linda Ann Eckert Wilshire added new ancestors through a Supplemental Application. Century Families recognized Jennifer Marie Moorman Davis, Mary Louise Reese Inwood, Jeffrey G. Herbert, Lawrence E. Hamilton, Jr., Ellen Ruth Schiereck. and Jean Ann Overmeier Nathan. Supplemental Applications were also accepted for Joseph "Roger" Poppel, Donna Marie White Mancini, and Gail Marie Burkholz.

Four members were honored for the continuing contributions they made to the chapter over its 40 years in existence. David Pittinger, Chief of Staff of the Hamilton County Recorder's Office, has worked tirelessly to assist genealogists with their research. Deb Cyprych, editor of the chapter's award-winning quarterly The Tracer, also served as the editor of the Ohio Genealogical Society's publication Ohio Genealogical News, for five years. Mary Remler served as the Cemetery Chair and was responsible for the publication of 21 volumes of Hamilton County Burial Records. Also honored, but unable to attend, was Barbara Wegley. Barbara has served as the Corresponding Secretary and on the Board for many years.

David Pittinger 

Deb Cyprych

Mary Remler

Have you ever wanted to become a member of one of the Lineage Societies? If you have a direct ancestor who was born or lived in Hamilton County at least 100 years ago today, you may qualify. Consider submitting an application. The application and rules for submission can be found on the HCGS website.

Submitted by Kathy Reed

HCGS Annual Seminar with Craig Roberts Scott

Earlier today at the Mill Race Center in Winton Woods, the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, in conjunction with the Butler and Clermont County Genealogical Societies, sponsored its Annual Seminar.  Craig Roberts Scott, a nationally-recognized speaker on military topics, discussed how to trace your Civil War ancestor.  He also helped us understand the records that are available for compiling a military service record and how to obtain records that go beyond the information available in a Pension Record.

The Hamilton County Genealogical Society also presented several awards.  Judge James Cissell was recognized for his leadership in making Probate Court and other records available online.

Jim Dempsey presents certificate to Judge James Cissell

Several others were presented with Certificates of Appreciation by Chapter President Kenny Burck.  Among those in attendance were:  Doug Magee and Colleen Phillips of the Genealogy and Local History Department of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Co. Library, David Pittinger and John Tholking.

Kenny Burck and Doug Magee

Kenny Burck and Colleen Phillips

Kenny Burck and David Pittinger

Kenny Burck and John Tholking